Their resumes since joining forces say it’s a resounding success. Cherry, 47, of Lincolnton, N.C., is the two-time defending Classic champion. Mosley, 33 of Collinsville, Miss., has been in the hunt for tournament and Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles. Rivet, 27, of Raceland, La., heads into his fourth Elite season having qualified for his first Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
Rivet received a little help from his friends in earning that berth to Lake Hartwell in March, but both get on him for not heeding their pre-tournament advice before the final Elite of 2021. Struggling on the first day at the St. Lawrence River, Rivet ran into Cherry, who put him on a drift that salvaged his day. Then Mosley, well inside the Classic bubble, again invited Rivet to his largemouth for Day 2.
“We’ve all been there where he was, at the Classic bubble,” Mosley said. “You tend to put more pressure on yourself, and he was starting to overthink things.”
“Me and Brock preach to him, you’ve got to have five,” Cherry said. “Don’t overthink this, just get your limit. No matter what, you’ve got to catch five.
“Had he listened to our advice, trusting us and knowing we’re not trying to steer him wrong, he probably would have caught 19, 20 where I was at the first day, and it wouldn’t have been a waiting game to get in the Classic.”
Rankling goes both ways. With a wink, Rivet takes credit for Cherry’s first Classic win. Wanting to go out during the 2020 wind delay at the St. Johns, Rivet said Cherry accepted his invitation to fish Rodman for some punching pointers. That’s when they first bonded.
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